DAMASCUS, (ST)- Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem and the Chinese Special Envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan on Wednesday discussed the situation in Syria and the region, particularly the fight against terrorism and the efforts being exerted to find political solution to the crisis in Syria. The two sides also discussed boosting bilateral ties.
Al-Moallem, who stressed the importance of enhancing the Syrian-Chinese political, economic and trade relations, thanked the Chinese government for the assistance it has provided to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people under the terrorist war and the unjust economic sanctions that badly affected the Syrian economy and infrastructure.
Concerning the situation in Aleppo and the Syrian Arab army battle against terrorist organizations there, al-Moallem said the Syrian government will press ahead with its efforts to fight takfiri terrorism until achieving victory and will also spare no effort as to meet the needs of the Syrian citizens and find a political solution to the crisis based on intra-Syrian dialogue led by the Syrians themselves away from foreign interference.
Al-Moallem reiterated the need to unify the international community’s efforts to fight and eliminate terrorism. He also affirmed the necessity of forcing the countries and regimes supporting terrorism, mainly Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to respect Security Council resolutions relating to counter-terrorism.
He hailed China’s principled stances in support of Syria at international organizations and highly appreciated the Russian and Chinese vetoes against a UNSC resolution that called for a truce in Aleppo without urging the terrorists to withdraw from the eastern part of the city.
On his part, the Chinese envoy asserted his country’s stance in support for restoring security and stability to Syria, hoping that political solution process will witness progress through resuming dialogue among the Syrians, because the Syrian people are the only party that can decide their own future.
He stressed that China eyes bigger constructive role in attaining settlement in Syria in coordination with the Syrian side. He also underlined his country’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Syria in all domains and to continue providing assistance to the Syrian people.
Xiaoyan hailed the Syrian government’s efforts to fight terrorism, expressing confidence that Syria will triumph in its war on this dangerous phenomenon. He stressed the importance of intensifying the fight against terrorism as it hinders political solution efforts.
The Chinese envoy urged hitting with an iron fist all the terrorist organizations everywhere and without discrimination or double standards, because terrorism is a common enemy to the entire humanity and it must not be used to implement special agendas.
Hamda Mustafa